Honorees

← Back to directory

Year Honored
2002
Honoree
John E Steed
Agency
Barrow County EMS
Agency City
Winder
Agency State
GA
Last Call
9/2/83
Cause of Death
Ambulance Involved MVC
Biography
The morning was "North Georgia dreary", the kind of day made for sleeping in. A hard, driving rain pummeled U.S. Route 29. The ambulance driver's co-worker was working an extra shift and was taking advantage of the slow, routine convalescent call to catch an extra forty winks. The only adrenaline pumping was perhaps a vague anxiety felt by the man behind the wheel, the partner's good friend, and long-time associate, John Sneed.<br /> <br /> John was taking his wife in for a medical check as soon as he finished his shift. He, an easygoing, even-tempered guy, was devoted to his wife and he idolized his eight-year-old daughter, Daphne. He loved his wife and daughter and he loved his life. It made you smile just to be around him. In fact, probably the only thing that could hold a candle to the two of them was his job as an advanced EMT, wrote A. J. Cordell.<br /> <br /> John Edwin Steed, 32, lost his life on September 2, 1983 when the ambulance he was driving was hit by a tractor-trailer. The truck had lost control while attempting to brake for a turning vehicle; it veered into oncoming traffic and hit the driver's door of one of Barrow County's finest. John Steed never knew what hit him.<br /> <br /> Mr. Steed was a proud employee of Barrow County EMS of Winder, Georgia. John held certifications as a Basic and Advanced EMT, a Cardiac Tech, and CPR Instructor and Auto Extrication instructor. He came on duty with a smile, good attitude, funny jokes, and his team knew he would always perform his share of the duties. John also was an announcer at WIMO Radio Station.<br /> <br /> EMS Director Keith Wages writes: "I have been fortunate in my career, but to this day, my greatest reward was working on an ambulance with John Steed. This man possessed excellent skills as a paramedic, an exemplary dedication to his organization and community, a strong commitment to his fellow employees and extraordinary compassion for his patients. In addition to these qualities, John maintained a sense of humor and warmth that was literally therapeutic for both his patients and his co-workers. Everyone was a benefactor of John's attitude toward his profession and his life."<br /> <br /> Honored 2002